Global warming will affect most of Indonesian: Forestry minister

Antara 18 Jun 14;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is considered as one of the developing countries that is worst affected by global warming, because Indonesia has thousands of islands and many are small, Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan said.

Zulkifli said the small islands in developing countries have been predicted to be the most affected areas.

"These are the most vulnerable areas due to the threat of floods and storms, including rise in sea level because of global warming," he reported at the "Indonesia Green Award 2014" here on Wednesday.

For that reason, great effort must be taken and people should be made aware of the dangers of climate change to human beings.

The forestry minister stated that Indonesian government has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 26 percent by 2020, as an effort to cope with the impacts of climate change.

According to Zulkifli, various measures have been taken by the Ministry of Forestry, including the suspension of new permit for the conversion of primary forests and peat lands, combating illegal logging and illegal timber trade, and also completing forest land tenure.

Also, measures have been taken to prevent forest fires and rehabilitate damaged forests and land through the construction of permanent nurseries, and "Planting One Billion Tree" program.(*)
Editor: Heru